JARD VAN NES

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Jard van Nes

Jard van Nes can justifiably be called an all-round singer: She is equally comfortable with the concert and oratorio repertoire and the lieder and opera repertoire extending from Baroque to contemporary music composed specially for her. She is considered one of the most important mezzo-sopranos of her generation and is ...Full biography

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Biography Jard van Nes

Jard van Nes can justifiably be called an all-round singer: She is equally comfortable with the concert and oratorio repertoire and the lieder and opera repertoire extending from Baroque to contemporary music composed specially for her. She is considered one of the most important mezzo-sopranos of her generation and is internationally acclaimed, in particular for her interpretations of Mahler's orchestral songs and lieder with piano accompaniment. A number of her CDs have won an Edison, Diapason d'Or, or Preis der Schallplattenkritik, or been nominated for a Grammy Award.

1971

Jard van Nes (born 1948 in Zwollerkerspel) made her operatic debut on September 30 as Anima in 'La Rappresentatione di Anima e di Corpo' by Emilio de' Cavalieri. The performance is a student production she participated in while studying the piano at the Utrecht Conservatory: “That project marked the beginning of my addiction to singing”. (Algemeen Dagblad, December 23, 2000)

1973

When Van Nes completes her piano degree, with Sas Bunge, she begins studying singing at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. She has lessons with Herman Woltman and attends the interpretation classes of Felix de Nobel and Pierre Bernac. She later studies with Christa Ludwig and Noémi Perugia.

1978

Her breakthrough comes when she enters the International Vocal Competition in 's-Hertogenbosch and wins second place. Through Piet Veenstra, then artistic director of The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra, she gets regular work with the orchestra.

1980

Van Nes makes a concert tour of the Middle East and in 1981 wins the International Opera and Belcanto Competition in Belgium.

1982 - 1984

In September she begins teaching at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. On September 23, 1983, she makes her debut with the Netherlands Opera as Bertarido in Handel's Rodelinda. In 1984 she receives the Netherlands Music Prize, the highest honour awarded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

1989 - 1991

Van Nes sings Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' in a performance in Paris conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini. In 1991 she makes her debut at the Salzburger Festspiele as the Third Lady in Mozart's 'The Magic Flute'.

1995

She sings in a performance of Mahler's 'Second Symphony' in Dresden conducted by Bernard Haitink. The concert, held during a commemoration of the bombardment of Dresden, makes a deep impression on the audience and listeners, according to Haitink's description of Van Nes in 'Een Vriendenboek' [A Book of Friends].

1996 - 1997

Van Nes undergoes surgery for a ruptured spinal disc and needs five months to recuperate, during which time she cancels all of her engagements in Europe, Israel, and the United States. She returns to the Salzburger Festspiele in 1997, this time as Mescalina, a leading role György Ligeti's 'Le grand macabre'. Over the course of the year she begins to have problems with her voice, which loses some of its upper range, and sometimes cancels engagements.

2000

Van Nes is a member of the jury at the International Vocal Competition in 's-Hertogenbosch. On December 22, before a concert in Arnhem, she announces in a letter that she will end her singing career. Her decision is met with astonishment because she seems to be at the height of her abilities, but she sees that differently: “At the beginning of the 21st century I must conclude that with the passing of the years the balance between soul and body, desire and ability, is increasingly difficult to find. That creates tension through which I do not feel well”. (Algemeen Dagblad, December 23, 2000)

2001

Van Nes retires from the concert stage and dedicates herself to teaching. Some of her master classes are broadcast on radio and television.

In the discography you will find all recordings that have been released listed chronologically. We restrict ourselves to the title, the type of audio, year of publication or recording, label, list of guest musicians, plus any comments on the issue.